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Published: March 12th 2006
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Tea Picker
This wiley old crone spotted the four us and came running over to show us how to pick to tea on our factory visit Thanks for the title must go to the band who serenaded us on our 2nd night in Srilanka with such a beautiful complex song consisting only of those words! Anyway... Sorry it has been so long but I have been very busy enjoying this beautiful isle for two weeks now and loving it. The people here have won over my heart - so different from India. The locals are brilliant with us and treat hauling our massive bags around as a great game and ask us what we have in there! So, here is the catch up:
Wew headed straight up to Kandy on our arrival on the train, where we had to sit on the floor in third class as there were no tickets for anything else, although halfway through a man offered us the chance to upgrade. Fabulous I thought. It wasnt until I tried to move myself and bag on the rapidly swaying train when it seemed like a bad idea. Eventually I fell over onto a small Muslim family who helped me up but were still shocked at having a girl catapulted onto their knee! We got a taxi to a room recommended in the L.P
Dad in a skirt
Getting dressed up for the caves in Dambulla on arrival - The Glen. No one was about so I wandered in shouting - 'Hello!' no answer. I shuffled through to the back of the house and tried again, this time I got a reply but I couldnt work out where it was coming from. 'Where are you ?' I shouted back - pause- door bursts open revealing old man wearing nothing but a sheet round his middle (I later learn this is usual dress). 'Here I am!' he shouts leaping infront of me. Unforyunately Id wandered into his house. THe guesty house was upstairs he informs me! But, if it is only you 'I have you as my guest' he gleefully states. 'No no' I assure him, 'I definately have a friend!' Fortunately we found a room next door with another mad family! The next day we met up with Mum and Dad in slightly more salubrious accomodation! We visited a beautiful botanical gardens, a tea factory and went to see some Kandy dancing with men walking on hot coals and setting fire to themselves (I think that was the only bit Dad had his eyes open for!) The next day we headed for the cultural triangle with
Anthony and Pradeep in their van!
We arrived in Dambulla and walked up hundreds of steps to visit the caves and tyhen went on to Sigiriya rock which was vast, but I did manage to climb it - very proud of myself! Halfway up there are some ancient frescoes and on the top remains of the king's fort and palace. The views across were amazing - highly recommended! We went on top Polluwanarua (not how you spell it!) to visit the ancient sites the next day. The ancient civilizations were amazing, especially the massive statues of lord Buddha, but Anradhupura the next day was my favourite with really impressive irrigation systems- it's mind blowing how advanced they were - they even had ancient urinals to stop the smell - I think India could do with a few of those! We were staying in such a beautiful hotel that even though it was pouring with rain we all went for a swim! Dad was getting some funny looks with his trunks and umbrella combo through the hotel grounds! THe next day we headed back to Negombo and spent a few days relaxing in the luxury of a nice hotel -
ah clean sheets and proper matresses!
We left Mum and Dad at the airport a few days later and headed down to the South coast. THe drive down was really interesting but at the same time harrowing. When we reached Galle the tsunami damage was still very apparent. It looked as though a series of bombs had been detonated along the coastline. THere were houses with the backs abnd fronts washed out, stood like empty shells. THe trees were frozen in awkward shapes as though the sea had tried to pull them back into the ocean when it receeded, others were bowed with their heads slumped on the floor and their roots in the air. THe people on the bus were keen to poiint out areas of devestation and tell you their story. We arrived in Mirrissa, a beautiful beach but the place was really empty of tourist, you feel so sad for the people trying to build up their businesses again. After a day we moved on to Tangalle. Here we wanted to see the turtles come to shore, so we set off into the night to sit and wait. And we did, sit and wait, for four
Elephants!
Amazingly close view from our Safari hours, and no turtles came. I managed to fall asleep in my mac on the beach and eventually at 12.15 we went home to bed!
Thank goodness the next day made up for it - we went up to Uda Walawe national park for a jeep safari. It was amazing, we saw heards of Elephants at several points in the park and whether are driver was good or mad, we got so close to them we could feel their breath! He drove us infront of a crossing herd who came right up to the side of the jeep. In response Fran and I shot to the back, but were coaxed forward by the tracker who assured us they werent going to charge the vehicle! We also saw spotted deer, wild buffalo, monkeys, crocodiles, a mongoose and lots of birds. We then set off for Ella, back in the hill country where we are now.
Hope you are all well, lots of love and hugs
Sarah xxx
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